Adopted:11/20/95         MSBA/MASA Model Policy 103
Orig. 1995
Revised:11/20/06             Rev. 2005

103  COMPLAINTS – STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES, PARENTS, OTHER PERSONS

I.   PURPOSE
The school district takes seriously all concerns or complaints by students, employees, parents or 
other persons. If a specific complaint procedure is provided within any other policy of the school 
district, the specific procedure shall be followed in reference to such a complaint. If a specific 
complaint procedure is not provided, the purpose of this policy is to provide a procedure that may 
be used.

II.  GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
A.   Students, parents, employees or other persons, may report concerns or complaints to the school 
district. While written reports are encouraged, a complaint may be made orally.  Any employee 
receiving a complaint shall advise the principal or immediate supervisor of the receipt of the 
complaint. The supervisor shall make an initial determination as to the seriousness of the 
complaint and whether the matter should be referred to the superintendent. A person may file a 
complaint at any level of the school district; i.e., principal, superintendent or school board. 
However, persons are encouraged to file a complaint at the building level when appropriate.

B.   Depending upon the nature and seriousness of the complaint, the supervisor or other 
administrator receiving the complaint shall determine the nature and scope of the investigation or 
followup procedures.  If the complaint involves serious allegations, the matter shall promptly be 
referred to the superintendent who shall determine whether an internal or external investigation 
should be conducted. In either case, the superintendent shall determine the nature and scope of the 
investigation and designate the person responsible for the investigation or followup relating to 
the complaint.  The designated investigator shall ascertain details concerning the complaint and 
respond promptly to the appropriate administrator concerning the status or outcome of the matter.

C.   The appropriate administrator shall respond in writing to the complaining party concerning  
the  outcome  of  the  investigation  or  followup,  including  any appropriate action or 
corrective measure that was taken. The superintendent shall be copied on the correspondence and 
consulted in advance of the written response when appropriate. The response to the complaining 
party shall be consistent with the rights of others pursuant to the applicable provisions of Minn. 
Stat. Ch. 13 (Minnesota Government Data Practices Act) or other law.

103-2
Legal References:  Minn. Stat. Ch. 13 (Minnesota Government Data Practices Act)

Cross References:  MSBA/MASA Model Policy 206 (Public Participation in School Board 
Meetings/Complaints about Persons at School Board Meetings and Data Privacy Considerations)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 403 (Discipline, Suspension, and Dismissal of School District Employees)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 413 (Harassment and Violence) MSBA/MASA Model Policy 514 (Bullying 
Prohibition)
MSBA Service Manual, Chapter 13, School Law Bulletin “I” (School Records – Privacy – Access to 
Data)